Purpose – This chapter provides a think piece on economic evaluation and policy for cycling. Bicycle investments are often motivated by a desire to improve health, the environment and congestion conditions. However, we argue that since the bicycle is a part of the transport system, it should be evaluated as such. Focusing on implications for cycling appraisal in general, we also discuss two conflicting trends in Stockholm: a sharp decrease in cycling in the outer areas, and a sharp increase in the inner parts. Methodology – We use (i) travel survey data to analyse the potential to reduce congestion through improvements for cyclists, (ii) travel survey data from 1986 to 1987 and 2004 and bicycle counts over 25 years and (iii) a value of time survey of Stockholm cyclists including questions of exercise habits. Findings – Additional benefits in appraisal from reduced car traffic and improved health seem to be small. Given bicyclists’ high values of time and low investment costs, bicycling investments are still likely to be socially beneficial. The conflicting bicycling trends can be explained by (i) increased road congestion and improved bicycle infrastructure, (ii) increased visibility of bicyclists generating a ‘positive spiral’, (iii) increased interest in physical fitness and changes in the relative prices of cars versus central residences turn cycling into a high-status mode and (iv) in peripheral areas, increasing distances and less dense land use patterns decrease cycling levels. Practical implications – The results underscore the need for dense, mixed-use spatial planning and ‘smart’ marketing using the effects of cyclist visibility to reinforce the ‘status’ of cycling.


    Access

    Download

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Chapter 10 The Benefits of Cycling: Viewing Cyclists as Travellers rather than Non-motorists


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2012


    Remarks:

    Campusweiter Zugriff (Universität Hannover) - Vervielfältigungen (z.B. Kopien, Downloads) sind nur von einzelnen Kapiteln oder Seiten und nur zum eigenen wissenschaftlichen Gebrauch erlaubt. Keine Weitergabe an Dritte. Kein systematisches Downloaden durch Robots.




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    BKL:    76.60 Erholung, Tourismus: Allgemeines / 43.00 Umweltforschung, Umweltschutz: Allgemeines / 55.83 Stadtverkehr, Nahverkehr / 74.75 Verkehrsplanung, Verkehrspolitik
    RVK:    ZO 3300
    DDC:    338.3472



    Overtaking on rural roads – Cyclists' and motorists' perspectives

    Katja Kircher / Magdalena Lindman | DOAJ | 2024

    Free access

    Collisions between cyclists and motorists in New Zealand†

    Atkinson, J.E. / Hurst, P.M. | Elsevier | 1982


    Cycling motorists--how to encourage them

    Snelson, A. | Online Contents | 1993


    Infrastructure Based Approach to Increase Cycling Safety in case of Turning Motorists Interacting with Crossing Cyclists at an Urban Intersection

    Gimm, Kay / Junghans, Marek / Saul, Hagen et al. | German Aerospace Center (DLR) | 2018

    Free access

    Cycling Motorists: and How to Encourage Them

    Snelson, A. / Nottinghamshire County Council | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1993